Pullets in coop with hens?

[Swbertrand1]

The younger chickens have been in an enclosed part of the run for about a month now. They are separated by wire so they have been able to see each other. They just recently started free renting together and every day gets a little better. I think, like you said, they just need more time. Thank you for your suggestions!

You're welcome!

We let ours mix with the adults during supervised evenings in the spring. They are all (chicks and hens) so interested in all the "new" things to explore after being in their run all day that things are pretty relaxed during free-range time. It ALSO gives everyone a chance to mix without the wire between them, giving the chicks a chance to slowly work their way into the fold...

 

[Miaksbeaks]

My chicks are raised with the flock. By the time they are 5 weeks old they are ranging with the adults in my 3,000 square feet area in electric netting. Some are sleeping in the main coop at 5 weeks, just not on the main roosts where the hens are. The others are sleeping in the main coop by the time they are 12 weeks old. They still avoid the older hens when they are in the coop but they can find places to do that in my 8' x 12' coop. The pullets seem to learn where to lay by watching the older hens.

That yours are laying and 18 weeks old is interesting information. I expected yours to be much younger. My pullets tend to mature enough to join the pecking order about the time they start to lay. The older hens don't bother them but they have been integrated for months. I don't think you are integrating chicks, I think yo are integrating more mature chickens. Where are your pullets laying now?

My experience is integrating chicks, not more mature chickens. I think most of what I said will still apply. I think if I were in your situation I'd wait a few more days of them free ranging together and then try moving them into the main coop. See what happens. They may switch nests.

I left a little makeshift nesting box in their enclosed space, but they have actually been choosing to go up in the coop and lay in a corner (not in a nesting box). My coop is about 5’x7’ so there should be enough space for just 5 birds. There are 3 roosting bars and in the summer my older hens seem to each take their own bar. I think from what I’m hearing from everyone it sounds as though I just need to give them some more time free tending together before I put them all together in the coop at night/ morning.

 

[Miaksbeaks]

You're welcome!

We let ours mix with the adults during supervised evenings in the spring. They are all (chicks and hens) so interested in all the "new" things to explore after being in their run all day that things are pretty relaxed during free-range time. It ALSO gives everyone a chance to mix without the wire between them, giving the chicks a chance to slowly work their way into the fold...

Great idea!